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Saturday, 4 June 2016

317) Himalayan Lakes: Chandratal, Roop Kund, Sela, Tsangu and Tsomo Riri: A set of five post cards issued by India Post in 2015:

317)
Himalayan Lakes: Chandratal, Roop Kund, Sela, Tsangu and Tsomo Riri: A set of
five post cards issued by India Post in 2015:

The Cover of the Jacket containing the five Post Cards on Himalayan Lakes. It is titled "Himalaya Ki Jheelen" (in hindi) and Himalayan Lakes" (in English). There is also the logo of India Post on the Cover.

The Back of the Jacket containing the five Post Cards on Himalayan Lakes.

The above is a scanned
image of the postcard titled “CHANDRA TAL” (Himalayan Lakes)

1)
“Chandrataal” or “Chandratal” (literally meaning the
“Lake of the Moon”): is located at an altitude of about 4,300 metres (or about
14,100 Feet) and is about 7 km away from the Kunzum in Lahaul and Spiti
district of Himachal Pradesh, India, cradled in the glorious Middle Himalayas
in the Spiti Valley. It is situated in
the Spiti part of the district, on the “Samudra
Tapu” plateau which overlooks the Chandra River. The deep-blue water of the
Chandrataal Lake is the source of the Chandra River. It is believed that in
ancient times, the site of the lake was a glacier.

The
lake is one of the two high-altitude wetlands of India which have been
designated as “Ramsar Wetland Sites”.

According to legends, this
lake is the location from where the King of the Gods Indra’s chariot picked up
Yudhishthir (the eldest of the Pandav brothers when they were on a journey of
penance in the Himalayas after the Mahabharat War) As such this lake is also a
pilgrimage drawing several devotees.

The lake has a
circumference of about 2.5 kms and has a maximum length of 1 km, with a maximum
width of 0.5 km. It is a sweet water lake with a surface elevation of about
4250 metres.

Vast meadows on the banks
of the lake provide ideal sites for camping.

During spring, these
meadows are covered with hundreds of varieties of wildflowers, which give the
lake a breath-taking and picturesque surrounding.

The snow capped mountain
peaks and slopes rise around the valley for upto a height of 3000 metres to
6300 metres. The mountain ranges are called “Moulkila” and “Chandrabhaga”.

The lake gets its name from
its crescent shape which is symbolic of the moon.

Chandrataal was once a
staging post for traders who went to Spiti and the Kullu Valley from Tibet and
Ladakh and is now a popular destination for trekkers and campers. It is
accessible on foot from Batal as well as from Kunzum Pass from late May to
early October every year. The road from Kunzum Pass is accessible only on foot
and it is about 8 km (or 5 Miles) from Chandrataal.

The above is a scanned
image of the postcard titled “ROOP KUND” (Himalayan Lakes)

2)
Roop Kund (also known as “Mystery Lake” or “Skeleton Lake”):
This is a high altitude glacial lake in Uttarakhand State, India. It lies in
the lap of Trishul massif and is famous for hundreds of human skeletons found
at the edge of the lake. It is a shallow lake, having a depth of about two
metres.

The area is uninhabited,
located in the Himalayas at an altitude of about 5029 metres (or about 16,499
feet).

The
Mystery:

The mystery surrounding
the lake is the presence of an undetermined number of human skeletal remains
that are visible in the clear water of the lake during the one-month period
when the ice melts.

So far remnants of around
300 persons have been found. Along with the skeletons, wooden artifacts, iron
spearheads, leather slippers and rings have also been found. The skeletons date
back to the 9th century and there are many theories and
explanations as to how they got there.

These human skeletons were
first talked about for several centuries ago and it was only in 1942, that
a serious “rediscovery” was initiated by a Nanda Devi Game Reserve Ranger.

Subsequently, a team
from National Geographic Magazine brought out some 30 skeletons with flesh
still attached to some of them. DNA and Genetic tests at the Centre for Cellular
and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad revealed that about 70% of the skeletons
(skeletons of taller persons) had an affinity with Iran, while the remaining
ones (skeletons of shorter persons) belonged to the local population, perhaps of
porters accompanying the group. What has not been determined is where the group
was headed.

National Geographic also
brought out a documentary on the mystery which Roop Kund Lake holds within
itself, titled “Riddles of the Dead Skeleton Lake”.

Based
on these results, it is theorised that some Iranians came to this place in
search of new lands and took the help of local persons/porters.

A few other studies,
including radio-carbon dating of the skeletal remains at the Oxford
University’s Radio Accelerator Unit has placed the time of mass death at around 850 AD
(with a + - error of 30 years) i.e. in the 9th Century AD.

Still another study
suggests that the group of taller persons had DNA mutation characteristics
of Konkanastha Brahmins (Chitpavans) from Maharashtra. A DNA test by the
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad indicated that 2
samples with unique mutation in mitochondrial DNA matched with those with the
Chitpavans.

A popular local legend has
it that the King of Kanauj, Raja Jasdhawal, wanted to celebrate the birth of an
heir by undertaking a pilgrimage to the Nanda Devi mountains in the Garhwal
Himalayas and went along with his pregnant wife, Rani Balampa, their servants,
and a dance troupe to the Nanda Devi shrine. The Party faced a storm with large
hailstones from which the entire group perished near Roopkund Lake.

There is
no historical evidence of any trade routes to Tibet in the area, but Roop Kund
is located on an important pilgrimage route of the Nanda Devi cult with Nanda
Devi Raj Jat festivities taking place around every 12 years.

The Government Agencies
have made efforts to develop the area as an eco-tourism destination with a view
to protect the remaining skeletons from vandals.

Surrounded by rock-strewn
glaciers and snow-clad mountains, the Lake is a popular trekking destination
and is one of the important places for trekking in Chamoli District, India,
located near the base of two Himalayan peaks: Trisul (7120 metres) and Nanda
Ghunti.

A religious festival is held at the alpine
meadow of Bedni Bugyal every autumn and a larger celebration, the Nanda Devi Raj Jat takes place once every 12
years at Roopkund during which Goddess Nanda is worshipped.

The above is a scanned
image of the postcard titled “SELA” (Himalayan Lakes)

3)
Sela Lake:

This beautiful Lake is located
near the Sela Memorial and the Sela Pass which is a high altitude mountain pass located in Tawang
District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is at an elevation of about 4170
metres (13,700 feet) and connects the Buddhist city of Tawang to Tezpur and Guwahati.

Sela Lake is believed by
the Buddhists to be one of 101 Lakes in and around the Pass, all of which are considered
sacred and are revered by the Buddhists. This place is snowed under most of the
year, but offers excellent and aesthetic views all the year round.

Sela Lake (often called
“Paradise Lake”, because of its natural beauty) is fully or partially frozen
during winters. The Lake is the source of some small rivers which flow out from
it. During grazing season, yaks can be seen grazing around the Lake.

There is a recent legend
about this place. A soldier of the Indian Army – Jaswant Singh Rawat –who was serving with the 4th Batallion of the Garhwal Rifles which was defending this position, when his Company came under heavy Chinese attack by a MMG nest. He charged at them with hand grenades and hurled the grenades just 15 yards from the enemy's position. Having killed two Chinese soldiers and wounding several others he seized the MMG, but fell to enemy bullets on the return, still clutching the MMG in his hands.

A war citation says Rawat was hit in the head and died on the spot
with the MMG firmly in his grip. The soldier was awarded Maha Vir Chakra
posthumously and is today seen as a revered entity of valour and
patriotism.
- See more at:
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/rakeysh-omprakash-mehra-to-produce-biopic-on-braveheart-soldier/16275184#sthash.xX4c8ajL.dpuf

Rawat
was serving with the 4th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles when his
company came under heavy Chinese attack, firing away at Indian soldiers
using a Medium Machine Gun (MMG).
Undeterred, Rawat charged at them with grenades in his hand and
hurled them just 15 yards from the enemy’s point of attack. Having
killed two Chinese and wounding several others, he then seized the MMG
and while on his way back to the Indian position, he was felled by the
enemy’s bullets.
A war citation says Rawat was hit in the head and died on the spot
with the MMG firmly in his grip. The soldier was awarded Maha Vir Chakra
posthumously and is today seen as a revered entity of valour and
patriotism.
- See more at:
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/rakeysh-omprakash-mehra-to-produce-biopic-on-braveheart-soldier/16275184#sthash.xX4c8ajL.dpuf

Rawat
was serving with the 4th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles when his
company came under heavy Chinese attack, firing away at Indian soldiers
using a Medium Machine Gun (MMG).
Undeterred, Rawat charged at them with grenades in his hand and
hurled them just 15 yards from the enemy’s point of attack. Having
killed two Chinese and wounding several others, he then seized the MMG
and while on his way back to the Indian position, he was felled by the
enemy’s bullets.
A war citation says Rawat was hit in the head and died on the spot
with the MMG firmly in his grip. The soldier was awarded Maha Vir Chakra
posthumously and is today seen as a revered entity of valour and
patriotism.
- See more at:
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/rakeysh-omprakash-mehra-to-produce-biopic-on-braveheart-soldier/16275184#sthash.xX4c8ajL.dpuf

Jaswant Singh Rawat was posthumously awarded
the Maha Vir C Chakra (the second highest Gallantry Award given during wartime.

The above is a scanned
image of the postcard titled “TSANGU LAKE” (Himalayan Lakes)

“Tsomgo
Lake” or “Changu Lake” or “Tsangu Lake”: is a glacial lake
in Sikkim located at an altitude of about 12,310 feet. The name means “Source
of water”.

It is located about 35 kms
from Gangtok on the Gangtok-NathuLa highway. It is one of the few and extremely
high altitude lakes in India.

Prior to 1962, this was part of
the old trade route between India and China, with mules being used to carry
loads along this route. Now, there are proper roads which are easily accessible
except during inclement weather conditions. We have visited this Lake in
1992 during our trip to Darjeeling and Gangtok.

The above is a scanned image of the postcard titled “TSOMO
RIRI” (Himalayan Lakes)

5) “TSOMORIRI” or “MORIRI LAKE”:

Tso Moriri or Lake Moriri is a lake in the Ladakhi
part of the Changthang plateau in Jammu & Kashmir, Northern India. The lake
is at an altitude of 15075 feet. It is the largest of the high altitude lakes
entirely within Ladakh, India. Based on the ecological diversity of the Lake
and its surroundings – Avifauna, Mammals, Carnivores, Vegetation etc. –
Tsomoriri has been notified in November 2002 under the Ramsar Wetland Sites
under the Ramsar Convention. The land and water Reserve here is called the “Tso
Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve”.

The lake is fed by springs and snow melted from the
neighbouring mountains.

The Lake is ringed by hills rising to heights of over
6000 metres (or about 20,000 feet).

Changpas, a nomadic migratory shepherd community
who herd yak, sheep, goat and horses of Tibetan origin and who are engaged in
trade and work on caravans in the Ladakh Region are the main inhabitants of the
area.

“At a height of 15,075 ft., Moriri with a length of
19 km and width of 3 km is the largest of the high altitude lakes in the
Himalayas. It is filled by the snow melt of the surrounding peaks and springs.
When the driver of our vehicle, Javed, said that Tsomoriri was even more
beautiful than the Pangong Tso, we presumed he was trying to keep our spirits
up for the difficult drive ahead. We could not have been more wrong! Tsomoriri
is like a brilliant blue sapphire embedded in a ring of gold and the drive was
through a beautiful terrain. I felt very disappointed when I saw my pictures of
the Lake, because they just don’t match up to what my eyes actually saw.

We stayed in very comfortable tents with attached
toilets which apart from a small PWD guest house are the only accommodation
available in Tsomoriri. There were more birds to be seen here than at Lake
Pangong – Shell ducks and Bar-headed geese with new-born chicks could be seen
in numbers. However there were no Black-necked cranes to be seen, which
incidentally are one of the rarest birds in the world. A few Black-necked
Cranes come in pairs to breed here every year.

A 400 years old monastery called Korzok Monastry is
on the bank of the lake.

The unbelievable colours of the mountains

Check-posts everywhere! We
stopped and had lunch inside the quarters of the very helpful and
polite army personnel, at one of the check-posts on the way.

Yaks crossing a river. Yaks are sacred to the Budhist Laddakhis.

TSOMORIRI!

Mountains of gold!

Bar-headed geese with chick

A Shellduck braving the chilly water

Tents we stayed in

Inside the tent. My first experience of staying in a tent was quite good.

The 400 yrs old Korzok Monastry

Himalayan Golden Eagle - icing on the cake

A chubby Laddakhi baby. We had a quick-fix breakfast of 'egg bhurji' and chappatis at this shop .

After
breakfast we headed back to Leh to halt the night before driving out to
Srinagar and then again after a night to Jammu and then a train ride
back to our respective cities.

Posted on 30.06.2017:

India Post has brought out an interesting booklet titled "The Majestic Himalayas through India Postage Stamps". It contains, inter alia, four stamps brought out by India Post on 19.05.1988 covering four famous peaks of the glorious Himalayas:

The Cover of the Booklet titled "The Majestic Himalayas through India Postage Stamps"

A 150 Paise or Rs.1.50 stamp commemorating the "Broad Peak" of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges

A 400 Paise or Rs.4.00 stamp commemorating the "Mount K2 or Godwin Austin" of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges

A 500 Paise or Rs.5.00 stamp commemorating the "Kanchenjunga" of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges

A 500 Paise or Rs.5.00 stamp commemorating the "Nandadevi" of the Himalayan Mountain Ranges

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .